A 31st Lee County resident has died from COVID-19, and local government confirmed 123 new COVID cases since last Monday, bringing the total number of residents who have tested positive to 2,504.

“Please join me in offering my condolences to the friends and family of the individual whose death was reported today,” said Lee County Health Director Heath Cain. “Public health organizations are warning that we are likely to see cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 increase across North Carolina in the coming weeks; please do your part to help slow the spread of this virus and remember to wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands.”

247 of the cases are considered active – up sharply from the 125 reported on Monday. 2,226 people have recovered. Monday’s death was the eleventh recorded since the start of November, making it Lee’s deadliest month since the start of the pandemic.

Identifying information about patients isn’t disclosed, but the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID dashboard does have some demographic information. According to the dashboard, the rolling seven day average for new cases jumped from 14.29 to 15.86 in the past week, while the percent positive rate increased from 7.8 percent last Monday to 8.3 percent today.

The Health Department will hold community testing events at 106 Hillcrest Drive every Tuesday through December 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. by appointment only. To make an appointment, call (984) 368-2112 Monday through Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.